Streamlined Bushfire Management Overlay Schedule Project

In 2014, CFA led the development of BMO schedules with funding from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). CFA worked with council planners to prepare schedules to the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) across Victoria.

The Schedule Project was introduced to identify areas that would benefit from a BMO schedule using a streamlined methodology. CFA completed its State-wide review for potential schedule areas and DELWP has received the draft mapping and associated information.

Some key points about the Schedule Project:

the schedules are based on the updated BMO mapping

they are enabling – there is no reduction in landowner rights as applicants can choose whether they accept all the modified requirements of the schedule or apply for a planning permit under the standard BMO provisions.

they are for single dwellings on a lot – generally on small, residential properties within existing settlements.

Certain criteria have been taken into account in considering locations for schedules. For example, an area where there is a consistency in the bushfire hazard and the bushfire site assessment is replicated across the schedule area.

The draft BMO schedules generally apply to areas:

where the most likely form of bushfire attack is through embers (i.e. not directly abutting the hazard).

where the bushfire hazard meets the criteria for being within the BMO, however the full BMO requirements are not necessary and a more refined response is warranted following a risk assessment being undertaken.

where previous planning decisions indicate a generally consistent outcome, in terms of permit requirements, is being achieved.

where the risk from the broader landscape will not impact on the ability of a site to mitigate the risk to an acceptable level due to the type of bushfire hazard at the local level.